By Ibukun Emiola
Oyo State’s Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, on Wednesday in Ibadan extolled the virtues of late Prof. Samuel Agbede.
Adeyemo spoke at a colloquium in honour of the late Agbede, organised by the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan (UI).
She pointed out that there virtues exhibited by the late professor were those needed to build a functional and better society and Nigeria as a whole.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the deceased was the first Nigerian to be awarded a Master of Science degree in Aquatic Veterinary Studies by the University of Stirling, Scotland.
Adeyemo noted that the late Agbede lived well and touched the lives of people within and outside the faculty at the University of Ibadan.
“He was not just a bridge-builder, but a team-builder, who harped on collegiality for the overall development of all.
“Prof. Agbede was a father and his life was not a life of struggle, but collaboration. He employed the majority of the lecturers in Veterinary Medicine. He is humility personified and, with that, he was able to achieve all he did.
“His life is a lesson for everybody because when we start to look beyond ourselves, we will live selflessly and touch many lives, leaving a good legacy behind,”Adeyemo said.
Earlier in his address, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, the University of Ibadan Vice-Chancellor who was chairman of the occasion, said the late Prof. Agbede spent his life for the service of humanity.
Adebowale, who was represented by the institution’s Registrar, Mr Saliu Ganiyu, described the late Agbede as a good teacher and a calm mentor.
”No man can service God except through serving humanity, which the life of Prof. Agbede typified,” he said.
NAN reports that the Chief Executive Officer, Educational Advancement Centre, Ibadan, Dr Muyiwa Bamgbose, delivered the keynote address at the event.
He spoke on the topic “The Imperative of Collegiality for the Advancement of Any Profession: Prof. Samuel Adewunmi Agbede, The Bridge Builder.”
Bamgbose said the subject of discussion which was collegiality bothered on cooperation and shared responsibility.
”It is the best way to get innovation, and there is a need for innovation in Nigeria.
“Nigeria is in a dire state, and we don’t know what tomorrow will be like. People are afraid.
“Although there are promises, but people have been beaten many times and promises don’t mean anything.
“So, at this moment, we have to come together. Enough of fighting one another, separations, sectionalism, and enough of playing blame-sharing.
”Let us own the problem now and come together to solve the problem.
“This is one of the lessons to learn from a man described as a bridge-builder. We need bridge-builders, not bridge-breakers, not people that will cause rift and fight.
“But people that will cause others to collaborate, cooperate, enhance and support whatever people are doing, so that together we can smile,”Bamgbose said.
The Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Prof. Olufunke Ola-Davies, represented by Prof. Simeon Cadmus, also eulogised the late Prof. Agbede in her remarks.
Equally, the Head of Department, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Prof. Victoria Adetunji, joined in eulogising the late Agbede.
They said the late icon was a guide and mentor who left a legacy of kindness, peace and unity, as well as service.
Others who paid tribute to the deceased included his son, Mr Olufemi Agbede, and brother, Mr Oluwole Agbede, as well as friends and colleagues.
They recalled with nostalgia the virtues of the deceased and what he would be greatly missed for.
NAN reports that the event was attended by the wife of the late professor, Mrs Florence Agbede, children, family members and other distinguished personalities.(NAN)
